Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China.

The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: Students with Chinese nationality can not apply to XJTLU as foreign students, even if they were born outside China. Students with Chinese nationality need to pass the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), also known as Gaokao, in order to get into a university in China.

Overview

• In the BEng Urban Planning and Design programme, you will study the planning and design of urban and rural landscapes in both local and international contexts. You will obtain knowledge and skills to analyse, critique and contribute to the shaping of the sustainable development agenda in China and around the world.

• You will learn how to formulate strategic plans, design liveable cities and create public places. The programme will equip you to consider the social, economic and environmental needs of society and their interaction with the environments we inhabit and build. You will learn how to help companies and governments make difficult land use and development decisions while accounting for concerns like achieving climate resilience and enabling community engagement.

• The programme is international in focus, preparing students who will work in China to provide the critical planning and design skills needed for sustainable urbanisation while equipping those who will work in other countries for their career success.

Why should I study Urban Planning and Design at XJTLU?

• • Learn in a globally competitive, professional programme that is unique in its focus on both local Chinese and international planning systems and urban design practice
• • Enjoy a range of learning experiences such as interactive studios, field surveys and local and international field classes and design workshops
• • Become an independent, active learner and critical thinker with support from our learning environment
• • Gain transferable skills that are vital for success in your future study or employment in planning and urban design-related fields
• • Earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the BEng Urban Planning and Design, you will:

• • acquire knowledge of the natural, economic, socio-economic and political factors that shape our surroundings and how the built and natural environment is managed in different places around the world;
• • understand the role, scope and limitations of contemporary urban and regional planning in contributing to the management of growth and change, and the conservation of the built and natural environment;
• • comprehend the legal basis for action in planning and the relationship between planning and environmental issues;
• • gain an appreciation of decision-making processes that represent the views of the diverse communities who are affected by those decisions and how and when they can be effectively deployed;
• • develop abilities to think critically, reason logically, undertake systematic research, work in teams and use techniques in computing, numeracy, design and various forms of communication.

Careers

There is currently a high demand for graduates of urban planning and design. Graduates will have many options and could become planners and/or designers in various fields including:

• • policy making: developing legislation for the future of countries, cities and communities
• • urban design: creating attractive, safe and pleasant places in which to live, work or visit
• • property development: ensuring the right developments for the right places
• • transport planning: finding sustainable transport solutions
• • environmental planning: tackling the effects of climate change
• • urban regeneration: bringing life to places that need revitalisation
• • urban conservation: helping to protect our natural and built heritage
• • neighbourhood planning: engaging with people about how their communities are developed
• • smart city: promoting future cities that incorporate the latest in new technologies.

Year One:
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University offers a wide range of courses in the first year, including English for academic purposes (EAP), mathematics and physics, and humanities and social sciences. Click to learn more.

Year Two:
Core Modules
Issues and practice of planning in China I
Contemporary Planning Practice in Western Europe and the North America
Urban and Environmental Economics
Issues and practice of planning in China II
Planning in the UK
History and Purpose of Planning
Neighborhood Planning
Skills for Planning and Design Practices

Year Three:
Core Modules
Environmental sustainability
Rural Planning
Networks and cities
Geographic information systems
Projecting and managing urban futures
Planning and Research Methodology
Urban Design and Theory II
Urban Design and Theory I

Year Four:
Core Modules
Planning Law and Governance
Final Year Project and Dissertation
Planning and Property development
Spatial Project
Planning Practice Studio
Urban Design Studio

Optional Modules
International Planning Studies
International Field Class
Critical Debates in Contemporary Cities

For the latest information regarding programmes, please refer to the official XJTLU website.

Why Choose XJTLU?

• Two Degrees: 1 from the University of Liverpool & 1 from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Bachelor's students)
• The University of Liverpool degree (Master's and PhD students)
• All degree courses are taught 100% in English.
• No knowledge of the Chinese language is required to apply to XJTLU.
• Learn free of charge Chinese alongside your course.
• A friendly international community.
• International Opportunities: "2+2" study route to the University of Liverpool, UK for undergraduate students (more than 3,500 XJTLU students are now studying at the University of Liverpool, UK through "2+2")
• International Opportunities: Wide range of study abroad opportunities in partner institutions in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the USA, South Korea, Russia, etc.
• International Opportunities: Partnerships with multinational companies in the likes of HSBC, Standard Chartered, Siemens, KPMG, Alstom, Schneider, ICBC, etc.

About Suzhou

You have the opportunity to live in one of the most culturally rich areas of China, with Suzhou’s UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world.

Suzhou combines its rich 2,500-year-old history with a drive to become one of the most modern cities in China. It has a population of more than six million and a GDP of a trillion RMB – far larger than those of many entire countries!

Alongside its beautiful tourist spots, Suzhou has many excellent learning resources and sports facilities, a great choice of shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants, and a variety of bars and nightclubs.

Today, the city’s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000.

Suzhou is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Within Suzhou is Suzhou Industrial Park, one of the most competitive development zones in China. This area also contains the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (home to XJTLU), which sits beside Dushu Lake, one of two lakes in SIP.

Central Shanghai can be reached from Suzhou in just 30 minutes by high-speed train.

Library

XJTLU students have access to a wide range of library resources, from books and journals to electronic databases and articles. The library plays a key role as a research support and learning centre for the University, developing its collection by focusing on subject development and research requirements.

The library currently holds over 500,000 books, which are added to and updated throughout the year in response to requests from academic departments. It provides 22,000 square metres of space, housing 300 PCs and 2,500 seats for studying, discussion and computer and studio work.

Campuses

North Campus

Full of striking, architecturally impressive buildings, our North Campus provides state-of-the art teaching, laboratory, research and support facilities. This includes the award-winning and iconic Central Building, which houses our library.

The campus also has sports facilities, world class-fully equipped science and engineering laboratories, International Business School Suzhou, and design studios, as well as a variety of catering facilities, including Subway, Pacific Coffee Company, and many canteen-style fast-food options.

Landscaped gardens complement pieces of modern art to create a campus environment that has become one of the striking features of Suzhou Industrial Park.

South Campus

The first phase of our South Campus was opened to the public on 26 July 2016, as a major part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Architecturally it contrasts our North Campus and features modern designs that complement the surrounding area. Eventually, the South Campus will satisfy the learning and teaching needs of approximately 6,000 XJTLU students as well as the University’s academic exchanges and research development plans. It will consist of eight buildings and be developed over two further phases:

Phase II: International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU

This phase will see the completion of a new building for International Business School Suzhou, set to open by the end of 2017.

PHASE III: XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and XJTLU Gym

Phase III consists of two buildings – the construction of the XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and a gym. Both buildings are expected to open by the end of 2018. The development of the School, in collaboration with financial services provider Gold Finance Group, is a significant part of XJTLU’s academic development strategy. It will mix digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting. The gym will provide improved and diversified sports facilities for students and staff on campus.

Living in University

When you come to XJTLU, you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of different sports and activities as well as developing any existing skills you already have.

Student clubs and societies

Student clubs and societies play an important part of student life. XJTLU has many organisations with themes such as art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, dance to name but a few. Some of the more established groups include a Model United Nations and the Student Union.

Another society, Intercom, provides a platform for all international students to arrange activities and events, and share ideas and experiences with the wider student body.

Catering

3 canteens, 3 coffee shops, Bar, Restaurants

Sports 

Currently, 21 sports are offered through PE classes at XJTLU, including badminton, basketball, belly dancing, billiards, boxing, bridge, Chinese martial arts, football, free combat, body building, golf, popping, roller-skating, sport dancing, table tennis, taekwondo, tai chi, tai chi sword, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.

We have outside sport facilities that include basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor facilities, such as a golf training venue, gym, dance room, and table tennis room. There is also a football field located next to the new South Campus.